RAIDERS NOTEBOOK / One Woodson looks out for the other one

Nancy Gay

Published 4:00 am, Friday, November 7, 2003

One week after launching his verbal attack on Raiders coach Bill Callahan, Charles Woodson remained a no-show during the team's one-hour open locker room period on Thursday. But the cornerback, whose contract expires at the end of the season, got a huge vote of confidence from teammate Rod Woodson.

"I'd say you keep him here (next season), because you know he's going to give it his all," Rod Woodson said Thursday. "He wants to win, he's a competitor. If I'm in the front office, I'm keeping Wood here."

Does Charles want to be here?

"I don't know," Rod Woodson replied. "But if you look at it, it's a great match for Wood. But it's between Wood and the front office after that."

No QB for Curry: Ronald Curry was a record-setting passer at North Carolina, throwing for 4,987 yards and 28 touchdowns and amassing 6,236 yards in total offense. But when backup quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo was declared out for the year on Tuesday because of a knee injury, the Raiders looked elsewhere for help.

"I think that coaches feel I'm more valuable to the team right now as a special teams player," said Curry, who made the conversion to wide receiver in the offseason to ensure himself a spot on the team.

Photo: MICHAEL MACOR

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Photo: MICHAEL MACOR

RAIDERS NOTEBOOK / One Woodson looks out for the other one

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If Curry were a designated third quarterback, he would have to be inactive on game day, taking away a valuable special teams contributor.

"That was a consideration," said Callahan, who Tuesday signed journeyman Rob Johnson and elevated Tee Martin from the practice squad to back up starter Rick Mirer.

No sellout: The Raiders said Thursday about 10,000 tickets remained for Sunday's game against the 2-6 New York Jets at the Coliseum, meaning the game will be blacked out on local television. It's the third time this season a home game will not be televised in the Bay Area.

Briefly: Tuiasosopo said Thursday he will not undergo surgery on the torn MCL in his left knee but will wait a month to six weeks to see if the ligament heals sufficiently. "I don't want to have surgery if I don't have to," he said. ... Brad Badger will probably start at LG in place of the injured Frank Middleton (quads tear), Callahan said, with Langston Walker staying at RT in place of Lincoln Kennedy (calf tear). ... One reason why the Raiders have the fewest rushing attempts of any team in the NFL: They've been ahead at halftime only twice this season (18-3 over Chicago, 12-10 over Cleveland) and were tied 10-10 at the break against Cincinnati.